In final days of New Haven mayoral primary race, Toni Harp and Justin M. Elicker fight for votes and donations

Three-term incumbent New Haven mayor Toni Harp is facing a spirited challenge from Democrat Justin Elicker in the September 10 primary. (Stan Godlewski | Special To The Courant)

In a primary fight that may extend all the way to the November election, New Haven Mayor Toni Harp and Democratic challenger Justin M. Elicker are fighting for votes and campaign donations before Tuesday’s vote.

Even though Harp is a three-term incumbent with widespread name recognition, Elicker has raised more money and has more cash on hand for the crucial final week. Elicker has raised $303,000 overall, compared to $226,000 for Harp. But Elicker had $111,000 remaining as of Sept. 1, while Harp had less than $9,000 on hand.

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Regardless of who wins Tuesday, the race is likely to continue until November. Harp has already obtained the endorsement from the union-backed Working Families Party for the general election, but she said she will not make a final decision until after the primary. Elicker says he will run as an independent if he loses Tuesday.

New Haven’s three-term mayor Toni Harp talks with the media after announcing a new police at New Haven City Hall. (Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant / Hartford Courant)

In a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 15 to 1, the Democratic primary will be a crucial indicator of voter preferences as the candidates look toward November. The contest could represent a turning point in a generational battle for the leadership of the Elm City with Harp, who turned 72 in August, pitted against Elicker, 44, in an increasingly bitter race.

While Elicker has blasted Harp for a lack of leadership on a variety of issues, the mayor has been campaigning hard.

"I have a track record. I have a vision for the city,'' Harp said in an interview. "People have known me in this town for over 30 years, and I’ve delivered. ... We’re going to do more.''

Harp has never lost an election in her hometown with 14 consecutive victories that stretch back to her first contest for state Senate in 1992. Elicker battled Harp six years ago as an independent before losing 55 percent to 45 percent in a closer-than-expected general election race.

Most of the biggest names in New Haven politics -- including state Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney, Sen. Gary Winfield and state representatives Patricia Dillon, Robyn Porter and Roland LeMar -- have all decided to sit out the race and avoid endorsing either candidate. The Democratic town chairman, Vinnie Mauro, who is normally outspoken on local political matters, has not made an endorsement. State Rep. Juan Candelaria has endorsed the mayor, but insiders said the lack of political endorsements is a sign of dissatisfaction with Harp.

"Typically, political leaders would endorse the mayor, and that’s not happening,'' Elicker said. "People are frustrated with what is going on in New Haven.''

But Harp’s campaign cited a list of endorsements from the most powerful unions in the city, including UNITE HERE Locals 34 and 35 at Yale University, District 1199 of the New England healthcare workers, the Greater New Haven Building Trades, and Local 32BJ, which represents numerous maintenance workers.

Despite challenges facing the city, Harp and her campaign say that things are going well in New Haven.

"There have been some communication issues in the schools, but the graduation rate since I’ve been mayor is up over 10 percent,'' Harp said in an interview. "Our crime is down in every single area. They’re down in robberies, burglaries.''

About two hundred people rallied outside of New Haven City Hall on Aug. 14 to urge the city's Board of Alders to pass an ordinance making New Haven a sanctuary city. Here, Mayor Toni Harp, speaks in support of the ordinance. (Brad Horrigan/The Hartford Courant)

Harp acknowledged there has been an increase in "shots fired,'' but she said the total of 7 murders so far this year is a solid number when compared to some other cities.

But Elicker said that voters are dissatisfied by the 11 percent property tax increase in 2018, which was followed by no tax increase in an election year.

"The idea that things are going well in the city is just not reflected in the hundreds and hundreds of conversations I’ve had with people around the city,'' Elicker said. "I consistently hear frustration that people’s tax dollars are not used wisely.''

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Elicker’s supporters say there are signs of optimism, noting his victory over Harp in her own district in a Democratic town committee vote, along with Elicker’s edge in campaign funds.

Behind in fundraising, Harp sent an email to her supporters Tuesday in a last-minute plea for money.

"I’ll get straight to the point,'' Harp wrote. "With just one week until Election Day, we’re a little short of our goal to finish paying for our voter communications and get out the vote efforts. Can you please help us close the gap?''

Former New Haven alderman Justin Elicker, talks with Evelyn Herring on her front porch while campaigning for mayor. (Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant)

Each candidate is moving forward on a platform for the city, pushing the issues in campaign appearances and conversations with voters. For Harp, she wants to bring stability to the sometimes-understaffed police department — naming New Haven native Otoniel Reyes as the permanent chief after he served on an interim basis for four months. Harp is hoping for an increased focus on community policing, where officers develop closer relationships with residents in neighborhoods in an attempt to reduce crime. Officers had been working without a contract, but it was recently resolved with an approval by the officers’ union by an overwhelming margin of 259 - 13.

Harp said her choice of Reyes, a 20-year police veteran, was important for “the continuity and stability it represents for the department and for the city.”

Elicker is running on a platform of reform, saying he will push for creating more affordable housing, investing in public schools and youth programs, strengthening neighborhoods, and battling against “predatory landlords” across the city. He is pushing for “an open checkbook policy,” meaning that every city hall financial transaction would be available on the internet for the first time in order to promote transparency.

In the background, the FBI is conducting an investigation into corruption at city hall, but neither the FBI nor the U.S. Attorney’s office has revealed the full scope of the probe. The existence of the probe became publicly known last year, but it came into sharper focus during the campaign when the FBI issued a subpoena to city hall for records related to the city’s youth services department.

“I don’t believe it has had an impact on me,” Harp said earlier. “Not at all. It hasn’t come up to my level. There was a request for information. My understanding is that there have been no targets. This is like a freedom of information request that is a little bit higher up.”

But Elicker responded, "People are concerned about the FBI investigation. The mayor is downplaying the importance of it by comparing it to the freedom of information act.''